From Leicester to the World: The Story Behind a Vertical Vendors

Vertical Vendors • 12 August 2025

From Leicester to the World: The Story Behind a Vertical Vendors

We're incredibly proud of our UK heritage and our unwavering dedication to quality. Every single unit we produce is a product of this pride, meticulously crafted in our in-house manufacturing facility near Leicester. The story of Vertical Vendors is built on a foundation of craftsmanship and a passion for innovation, a story that began with our two co-founders, James Cooper and Ben Jones-Fenleigh.


Our UK Manufacturing Advantage


From the very beginning, we made the choice to manufacture our units at home in the UK. This was a deliberate decision to maintain exceptional quality control and reduce the carbon footprint associated with overseas manufacturing. Our 95,000 sq ft factory near Leicester operates 24 hours a day and employs over 80 team members, allowing us to keep our standards high because you need them to be. The Vertical Vendor Retail system is manufactured to ISO 9001 standards, ensuring everything we make is built with precision and care.


Built to Last, Built to Perform


Our units are made from sheet metal, which makes them very robust in-store. They are designed for a long life and are also completely recyclable. The internal system features injection moulded parts made from recycled plastics. This circular design thinking process is central to our ethos; we have designed all our units for re-use and recyclability. They are also incredibly versatile, with the ability to be rebranded with card wraps or magnetic graphics, giving them a fresh look for multiple campaigns.


The People Behind the Product


Our company’s strategy and vision are led by our co-founders. James Cooper, our Owner, Founder, and Managing Director, established VV’s parent company, Metalfacture Limited, back in 1997. He determines the company's strategy in terms of manufacturing capacity and raw material supply. Our Founding Director, Ben Jones-Fenleigh, oversees sales, operations, and manufacturing. Ben also drives the social media campaigns that have attracted retailers, drink manufacturers, and dealers from around the world.


A Global Reach with a Local Heart


We’ve grown from our Leicester roots to have a global reach, with our units now stocked in 57 countries. This success is built on the foundation of our UK-based manufacturing and our unwavering commitment to quality and service. Our standards are high because that’s what you deserve.


Want to partner with a company that values quality and craftsmanship? Get in touch to learn more about our UK-made merchandising solutions.


Read more about our award-winning designs and find out why we're the right choice for your brand.




More from the blog

Vertical Vendor metal unit, perfectly faced up, with the staff member smiling
by Vertical Vendors 8 December 2025
With KPMG predicting a 2026 hiring freeze, discover how spring-loaded displays act as a "silent staff member," saving hours of manual facing up
A Vertical Vendors display unit in a busy retail environment with a small digital screen or QR code
by Vertical Vendors 1 December 2025
Explore how durable merchandising units are evolving into crucial physical 'ad endpoints' for the high-value, data-driven Retail Media Network.
Durable steel Vertical Vendors unit displaying multiple product campaigns with easily changeable gra
by Vertical Vendors 26 November 2025
Stop guessing your CSR impact. See the hard data proving Vertical Vendors' permanent steel units reduce waste, cut carbon, and outperform 65 cardboard FSDUs.
Vertical Vendors UK Manufacturing
by Vertical Vendors 24 November 2025
Combat global supply chain volatility, eliminate hidden costs, and secure predictable lead times by choosing UK-based retail display manufacturing.
A shopper reaching for a product in a perfectly stocked, spring-loaded Vertical Vendors display
by Vertical Vendors 17 November 2025
Unlock impulse sales with the psychology of P.O.S. merchandising. Learn 3 ways to trigger a buy and why display consistency is the key to consumer behaviour.
Technology that Drives Efficiency and Insight
by Vertical Vendors 20 October 2025
Merchandising That Works: The Technology that Drives Efficiency and Insight
a solution to a throw away culture
by Vertical Vendors 20 October 2025
Merchandising That Works: Our Partner's Competitive Edge
 Vertical Vendors partners
by Vertical Vendors 20 October 2025
Merchandising That Works: The Partner's Competitive Edge
A dynamic in-store image of a spring-loaded Vertical Vendors display, fully stocked
by Vertical Vendors 18 September 2025
Discover how smart, sustainable, and reliable in-store displays from Vertical Vendors can boost your brand's sales.
An organised retail aisle with a compact Vertical Vendors display, showing an efficient use of space
by Vertical Vendors 18 September 2025
Learn how Vertical Vendors' spring-loaded displays can simplify your store operations, save valuable staff time, and increase profit.